Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-04-07
II KISS IN THE WOODS.

n KISS IN THE Woods
Clayford was an isolated little village, q
most destitute of the intellectual activitie
that characterize most inland villages of it
size
Despite this mental and spiritual dearth, j
was a fact that Clayford was the home of som
very pretty and attractive young ladies, what
ever else might be said of the young men
Certainly dainty Matte Crondit, queenl,
Helen Murray and her sister Kate wer
maldens upon whom a connoisseur of temal
charms might have deigned to bestow NOR
than a passing glance.
Now, if there was anything Clayford as
community excelled in it was gossip. 1t
proficiency in this was not to be wondered at
perhaps, considering the fact that every fam
lily worth considering at all was related by
natural ties or by marriage to every othe
family; and it was perfectly natural that any
thing affecting one individual was q matter O
interest to all the others; and SO when Charlie,
Brouse entered the church on probation it wa
q subject for widely different comment from
every member of this heterogeneous family
The fraternity at the store loudly declared
that Charley Brouse never had known how t.
be civil, and now he never would know; while
on the other hand, the church members Sc
their seal upon it that Charley Brouse wa
destined for great and shining career; anC
in this circle of popular opinion he became thu
bright particular STAR" Long before his 81,
months probation was at an end he was by
reclamation elected superintendent of the Sab
bath school, and more than ever, if possible
mammas dotted upon him, and stern fathers
held him up to luckless sons as pattern O
excellence.
Just previous to this event the shrewdest O
Clayford's female gossips had promulgated
her firm belief that Charley Brouse had
kind of laundering after Kate Murray, and al
for Kate, la! she'd snap at the chance AM
mint" But her story had not gained much
credence, for Kate had numerous beaux, sucf
as they were, and no one else had observed
that he had paid more attention to her than Uc
any of the other pretty girls.
However, as time wore on, these 'signs" be
came more apparent, and the anxiety to learI
just how matters stood between the two be
came almost epidemic. Every inhabitan
of mature years had his or her private reason
children considered possible future alliance
with the Brouse or Murray family; young
ladies alternately hoped and sighed, and the
brothers mentally vowed to make things
warm" for Charley Brouse.
At this iuncture in affairs, which threatened
to become serious Sabbath-school picnic
the only public amusement the church societ,
ever INDUCED in and to which even the stor
sent its quota of delegates, was held in tn,
forest sllrti:g the bank of the little lake. /
was the event of the season, instituted eacl
year solely for the children's benefit, and t.
the credit of the elders be it confessed thi
holiday contributed not little to their enjoy
ment. The lake offered its placid surface tt
those who cared to risk their lives in few
he, for n hIol
beach, and the "forest primeval" held many
sylvan retreat for rustic lovers and places o
concealment for the boys and girls VIII
scampered among its shadows in the game o
''hide-and seek, and it was amid this scene anC
while deep in the mysteries of this game, tina
little Ada Billings, by lucky chance wa
able to throw more light on the subject EN-
crossing the public mind than the ablest o
Clayford's gossip mongers had done.
Some splteful women, who were not warm
ly attached to Adas mother, said afterwart
that Ada had followed Charley and Kate il
their rambles to spy upon them, and that he
mother had ''set her up to it" but others de
clared it was pure accident. for their children
were playing with her all the time. For few
days this contested point absorbed the publi
mind and tongue almost to the exclusion O
the discovery made and the war of words raj
high.
On good authority it is safe to say the chill,
In the zest of animal spirits had run away from
her comrades, thinking they would hunt 70
her, and so stumbled upon scene that causet
her little heart to beat fast with a ney
sensation and her eyes to open wide like tw
big blue frlnged gentians. In this state o
open-mouthed wonderment she stood an In
slant and then turned and ran as swiftly 4
her little feet could carry her straight to he
mother, who was sitting in circle of Clay
ford's best people Flushed, fearful and drip
ping with perspiration she flung herself, fac
downward, into her mothers lap.
why Ada, what ais the child?" ex
claimed Mrs. Billings, giving her a a vigorou
shake. But Ada only buried her face deepe
and did not answer
Ada, sit right up and tell me what tn
matter, this instant" demanded Mrs. Billings
half impatiently, yet with some concern il
her voice.
Thus adjured Ada slowly raised herself, an
still keeping her face hidden by her hands
said between her sobs:
'I-saw-the-su superintendent = kissing :
Kate urray-boo-hoo ~
The circle looked aghast.
Where? When?" gasped Mrs. Billing
excitedly.
''Over there in the woods. I didn't mean {
see it, faltered the child.
1t was thrilling moment for Mrs. Billings
The knowledge all Clayford was almost dyin.
OF curiosity to learn lay right here in he
hands. She determined to make the most o
her opportunity.
'Ada," she solennly commanded, '.iest yo
go right on and tell us all about this-don'
you skip word" holding up one fnge
threateningly.
With dropping head and scarlet cheeks I'll:
abashed child continued 81 was runnin alon
on the sand, and was Jest stoppin' to tur
round an go back, when [ heard somethn
an ! looked up the bank an l saw the super